Illuminator for musical instruments



Jan. 15, 1957 J. c. COOKERLY ET AL 2,777,941

ILLUMINATOR FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed March 1, 1954 Jqcz "c" caoze'ezv 650265 2. #444 INVENTORS ILLUMINATOR FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Jack C Cookerly and George R. Hall, North Hollywood, Calif.

Application March 1, 1954, Serial No. 413,350

3 Claims. (Cl. 240-4) This invention relates generally to an improved combination light and supporting clamp for illuminating sheet music and more particularly, to a light and clamp coma bination for use with pianos and organs.

Various types of lighting fixtures for illuminating sheet music are well known in the art. It is common practice to support such lamps above, and somewhat forward of the sheet music stand whereby the light will fully illuminate the sheet music. Since the sheet music supporting stand or rack is generally inclined with respect to the. vertical, such arrangements often result in an annoying' glare or reflection from the sheet music, particularly when the music sheets have a glossy finish. In an effort to prevent such glaring, the musician must either shift his bodily position with respect to the piano or organ, or attempt to reorient the light. Neither solution is satisfactory. If the musician shifts his body he is not in proper position to play, while if the lamp is moved, the new position may not result in the sheet music being uniformly illuminated and furthermore may tend to block the turning of the pages of the sheet music.

The present invention has as its primary object to ,provide a greatly improved lighting means and supporting clamp therefore particularly adapted foruse with pianos and organs whereby the above noted difficulties are overcome.

Another object of 'the invention is to provide an improved light and clamp combination which is not only economical to manufacture, but is compact in nature and inconspicuous when attached to the instrument.

A further important object is to provide a light for illuminating sheet music for use with pianos or organs in which the sheet music is uniformly lighted'without the possibility of any glare or annoying reflections.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide a light of the above type in which both the sheet music and keyboard are simultaneously illuminated from the same light source. An auxiliary object in this regard is to provide a simple means for shading the keyboard light in the event it is only desired to light the sheet music, or in the event the light is to be used with pianos in which the music rack is spaced a relatively large distance from the keyboard.

Another object is to provide, in combination with a light or" the above type, an improved and simplified clamp structure for securing the light in position to a music rack Without having to damage or mar the instrument or racl; and without increasing the vertical dimensions of the light supporting structure. A further object in this connection is to provide a clamp constructed such that the light may be readily removed from the clamp without the necessity of removing the clamp itself from the music rack. I

These and furtherobjects and advantages of the pres ent invention are attained by providing an elongated light casing of relatively small vertical dimensions adapted to be secured to the base portion of the music rack where- 2,777,941 Patented Jan. 15, 1957 by light is directed upwardly towards the sheet music.

The casingis designed with aflat top panel provided with longitudinal ridges against which the sheet music may rest. The front edge portion of this topp'anel is provided with a cut-in elongated slot through which light from, a conventional type fluorescent bulb passes. A removable front panel portion of the casing includes a smoothly curved internal reflector for directing the light rays toward the sheet music. The lower, curved-under portion of the reflector'panel' is provided with'a cut-out slot whereby light from the fluorescent bulb may pass downwardly in the direction of thejkeyboard.

Instead of a conventional type of supporting stand or base for the light, the light casing of the present inven-- tion is supported solely at its rear end by meansof strip type hook elements. These strip-shaped hooks are adapted to engage elongated flat arms in turn secured to the music rack; The arrangement is such that the light casing is ing arms 14; and 15 will properly supported without any increase in its vertical dimensions.

In the event that the music rack is spaced a substantial distance back from the keyboard, as is the case with some pianos, the level area in front of the music "rack may serve as an additional support for the bottom of the casing. In such instances, it is not desirable to have light passing from the lower end of the light casing since such light may be reflected in an annoying manner ofl. the front area of the piano. Therefore, a further feature of the present invention contemplates a light shade which maybe manually inserted in the lower slot portion of the reflector panel for blocking this light.

A better understanding of the invention as well as additional features and advantages will be had by referring to the accompanying drawings, embodiment, in which:

' Fig. l is a perspective view of a conventional organ or piano with the light and supporting clamp of the present invention installed for use; 7

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the underside of the light and supporting casing shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-section of the light taken in the direction of the arrows 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig; 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 with a light blocking shade in position; v

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the supporting clamp for the light shown in Fig. l; and

Fig. 6 is an elevation of. the clamp of Fig. 5 in closed position. l

Referring to Fig.1, there is shown a conventional organ or piano 10 having a music rack 11 and a keyboard 12. The light of the present invention is indicated generally by the numeral 13 and, as shown, is secured to the base portion of the music rack 11 by a pair of clamping arms 1 and 15 extending laterally in opposite directions from behind the rear portion of the light casing 13. The exact manner of support effected by the clampbe explained in greater detail as re desc ription'proceeds.

The light casing 13 comprises a fiat top panel 16 provided with longitudinal ridges 17 and 18 adjacent its rear edge for supporting in cooperation with the music I rack 11 the base edges of sheet music 19. The front edge portionof the top panel 16 is provided with a rectangular. cut-out section defining three sides of an elongated rectangular slot 2t A front curved panel portion 21 secured to the top section 16 defines the slot 2%.

The curved panel 21, as shown clearly in the exploded view of Fig. 2, is provided on its inside surface with a curved reflector 22. Referring. to Fig. 3, this reflector serves to direct the light rays from a fluorescent type front edge of illustrating a preferred a 13 comprises an angle lon ated li h b lb dia d within thee-sing hr h the slot in the general direction of the music? rack as 7 indicated by the arrow. The front panel 21 is also provided-with; a cut-out portion in its curved-under edge whic provide th t e em insp ot he-cas no asuitable slot 24perinitting light from. the bulb23; to. pass downwardlyin the direction of the keyboard: 12 .as also indicated by the arrows in Fig. 3.

-As. shown in Figs.

section having a rear panel 25 and level bottom panel panel 25 is provided with a rearward laterally extending 23;.and other electrical equipment in the casing. Electribulb is provided by a cord C passing through the side plate 33.

cal power for the Since the light casing 13 is disposed at the base of the music rack 11,. itis important that its vertical dimension be as small as possible in order that sheet music can rest on its top surface and still be supported by the rack. In order then to support the light casing 13 without increasing its vertical dimension, a special clamp is provided for cooperation with flat hook strip members 34 and secured to the rear panel 25 of the casing. Referring specifically to angle section forming the rear panel 25 and bottom panel 26 forms an angle greater than 90", so thatthe rear panel 25 slopes upwardly and rearwardly. This slope is made to equal the slope of conventional type music racks such as the rack 11 whereby when the strip hooks 34 and 35 are, positioned on the clamp structure, a portion of the bottom panel 26 of the light casing will rest on the top, flat surface of the piano 10 between the music rack and the keyboard as shown. This arrangement insures that the light passing through the slot 24 in the lower portion of the curved panel 2i will be directed downwardly towards the keyboard 12 and not in the direction of the musicians eyes.

In the event the light is used on a piano in which the area between the music rack and the keyboard is larger than the width dimension of the base of the casing, light passing through the slot 23 will not illuminate the keyboard. In this case it is preferable to close ofi the slot so that no light will source is avoided. Blocking of the shade panel 36, indicated in the exploded view of Fig.

2 and shown in position in Fig. 4. in Fig. 4, it will be seen that the rear edge of the shade panel 36 is turned over to engage the lip 29 on the front edge portion of the bottom panel 26, the free front edge of the shade simply sliding under the curved portion of the front panel 21.

Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6, the specific type of supporting clamp cooperating with the; strip-like hooks 34v and 35 on the light casing is shown in detail. it will be noted that the oppositely extending clamp arms 14 and 15 are arranged to slide within suitable channel members 37 and 38, respecitvely. The overall length of the clamp between the clamping ends may thus be adjusted to fit various sized music racks. Suitable slot openings 39 and adjacent the outer ends of the channel members 37 and 38 are provided with sliding rivets 41 and 42, respectively. As shown, the slots 39 and 40 are angulated with respect to the longitudinal axes of the members 37 and 38, respectively, whereby sliding movement of the rivets 41 and 42 results in these rivets engaging the edges of the telescoping arms 14, to 15 'to frictionally retain Zand 3, theremainder of the casing 26. The. upper edge of the rear.

plates,

Fig. 3, it will be noted that the 7 pass from the under curved portion of'the casing and thus any possible annoyance'to the musician from this these arms in any one set channel members.

The inner ends of the channel members 37 and 38 are pivoted at spaced points 43 and 44 to an actuating member 45. The arrangement is such that rotation of the actuating members 45 in a counter-clockwise direction as indicated by the arrow, results in these pivot points 43 and 44 rotating about each other to assume the position shown in Fig. 6. In other words, as the actuating member 45 is swung, thepivotpoint 44 moves from a position to the, right of the p'oint43 tov a position to the left of this pivot point, causing the members 37 and 38 to be drawn together into overlapping relationship. The channel members 37 and 38 are sufliciently'thin to receive the strip-like hooks 34 and 35 of the light casing 13.

rivetsv 41 and 42 are then urged upwardly in the slots 39 Cal and 40ftolock the arms 14 and 15 with respect to the channel members 37 and .38. .After this initial rough adjustment, the actuating member 45 is then swung as 1nd1c'atedby the arrow in Fig. 5 to draw the members 37 and, 8 together to'tightly clamp the telescoping arms 30. 14, and 1 5,to the side'edge's of the base of the music rack.

The light casing' itseli is then simply hoo'kedto the channel members 37 and 38 by means of the strip hooks 34 and 35 secured to the rear panel 25. This arrangement permits the light to be manually removed from theclamp' without having to tamper withthe clamp adjustment on h mu ic. ac r. v i Y From the above description, it will be seen that the present inventionprovides a greatly improved light and. clamp support for. illuminating sheet music. 'Because of the factthat the light is directed upwardly towards the music and the fact that the music stand is generally sloped backwards to some extent, there is no chance for annoying glare or reflections occurring in the direction of the musicians eyes. Further, the provision of the elongated slots and fluorescent type bulb, provides full illumination of the sheet music.

Additionally, the light may be secured to different types of pianos or organs by virtue of the adjustable feature in the clamp and such securement can be eifected without having to mar or damage the music rack as would bethe case were screws or bolts employed. The

mounting dim light casing on the clamp by means of strip-like hooks on the rear'pane'l portion thereof perthe present invention will occur to those skilled in the art. The light and supporting clamp therefor, are not to be thought of as limited to the specific embodiment de' scribed and shown for illustrative purposes.

We claim:

1. In a light for simultaneously illuminating a sheet music rack and the key board of a musical instrument on which said rack is disposed above and rearwardly of said keyboard, an elongated light casing, comprising: a top panel having an upturned flange along portions of the front edge of the pane a t out P ne having its t p edge position with respect to the turned over to engage said top panel flange to secure said front panel thereto, the lower portion of said front panel being curved inwardly under said top panel; a rear panel and a bottom panel defining an elongated angle section, the top edge of said rear panel having a rearwardly extending flange lip, the rear edge of said top panel being turned under said flange lip, the front edge of said bottom panel having a downwardly directed flange, the rear under edge of said front panel being turned upwardly to engage said downwardly directed flange; side plates secured adjacent the opposite longitudinal end portions of said top and front panels and said angle section to close the ends of said casing; means on said rear panel for se curing said casing to the base of said music rack, said top panel and said front panel having a slot means therein for passing light within said casing to said music rack and said keyboard respectively, said front panel including an internal reflector for directing reflected light through the top panel slot means, and an elongated element forming a light shade and having one longitudinal edge turned upwardly for engaging said downwardly directed flange on the bottom panel whereby said element is adapted to be positioned to block light from the slot in said front panel.

2. A light for illuminating sheet music on a music stand, comprising: an elongate, hollow light casing including top, bottom, front and rear panels and means within said casing for supporting an electric light adjacent said front panel, said top panel having an opening adjacent said front panel and said front panel having an inner reflecting means for reflecting light upwardly and rearwardly through said opening, clamp means at said rear panel comprising a pair of thin clamp arms extending longitudinally of the casing and terminating at their outer ends in hook portions opening toward one another for engagement over opposite side edges of the music rack at the base of the latter, toggle means for axially moving said clamp arms toward one another to draw said hook portions together for clamping of the arms to the msuic rack including, a pivotal actuating lever and means pivetaliy connecting the inner ends of said clamp arms to spaced points of said lever at opposite sides thereof, and a pair of downwardly opening hook members secured to the rear panel and removably engageable over said clamp arms whereby the latter may be clamped to the music stand prior to supporting of the light casing on the clamp arms.

3. The subject matter of claim 2 including means for adjusting said hook portions longitudinally of the clamp arms for accommodating said clamp means to music racks of different widths. 1

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 779,453 White Jan. 10, 1905 1,457,061 Guth May 29, 1923 1,485,472 Van Bloem Mar. 4, 1924 1,582,437 Stanley Apr. 27, 1926 2,290,282 Herr July 21, 1942 2,341,048 Kopp Feb. 8, 1944 2,458,174 Kincaid Jan. 4, 1949 

